Accountability in Beauregard Parish

Julian Williams

Wednesday

Dec 19, 2018 at 10:16 AM

The following is a letter to the editor written by DeRidder City Councilman Julian Williams.

A fair review of social media posts by certain Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office personnel in would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the person making the posts demonstrated a biased and racist ideology.

The posts by local BPSO deputy are viewed as biased and racist and will negatively impact the BPSO’s reputation which in turn creates a dangerous environment for the public’s safety and rights.

The individual’s post shows no respect for the rights of citizens, no respect for the oath taken upon hire, and also no regret for the derogatory language.

There are also known allegations of deputies being verbally and physically abusive to inmates in restraints. One incident saw officers lay on top of someone in restraints and claiming that they would “put a bullet in him” if he moved.

Another incident involved an officer striking an inmate while in a restraint chair. At the time of the incidents no deputy’s body camera videos were able to be produced by the department.

Fair and honest employees are scared to speak up in fear of retaliation. I feel with incidents like this happening it makes it hard for the honest officers to protect the citizens, of whom they are sworn to protect, if they are too frightened to stand up to rogue deputies in fear of not being protected by their administration.

The words and actions are inexcusable for a public safety officer whose most important functions are serving the public’s interest and maintaining the public’s trust.

As a former law enforcement officer and public servant, I feel that it is my duty to protect the citizens as well as promote unity in our community. I aim to hold the law enforcement profession accountable for these posts as well as expand the current dialogue beyond these isolated incidents to a more broad discussion of bias/racism in Beauregard Parish and how it affects the community.

My goal is not only to reiterate how these words and actions are reprehensible, but also how they promote and unsafe environment for the public.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”